2024 Average Wedding Cost in the U.S. Increased by 4.2% to $31,428
some value
The wedding market grew by 4.2% from 2023 to 2024, with spending on attire and accessories increasing, particularly for tuxedos and suits (+5.3%) and wedding dresses (+2.1%). However, couples are becoming more budget-conscious:
- 66.5% are trimming their wedding budget to some extent.
- 50% are reducing their guest list, prioritizing quality over quantity.
- Average guest counts are declining—from 134 in 2023 to 131 in 2024, with early 2025 data showing a further drop to 127 guests.
Couples today are spending smarter, focusing their budget on what truly matters to them. The guest list reduction reflects a shift toward more intimate, curated wedding experiences rather than large-scale celebrations. While costs are being cut in some areas, couples continue to invest in meaningful, high-quality purchases - attire, photography, and premium experiences.
For wedding businesses, this means a fundamental shift in how couples approach spending:
- Smaller guest lists mean more per-guest spending.
- Luxury and personalization take priority over traditional large weddings.
- Vendors who offer flexible, high-value packages will have the advantage.
The latest results are based on 19,914 data samples including behavioral and survey data collected in 2024.
These 2 questions we asked couples from Jan 2025 to Feb 2025
How much are you thinking of trimming your guest list-if at all?
| A tiny snip (Less than 10% decrease) | 26.7% |
| A little off the sides (10-25% decrease) | 26.0% |
| A noticeable trim (25-50% decrease) | 13.7% |
| Major haircut vibes (50-75% decrease) | 3.6% |
| Buzz cut! (75% or more decrease) | 6.4% |
| No scissors needed-guest list is staying fabulous! | 23.7% |
How much are you thinking of trimming your wedding budget-if at all?
| A tiny snip (Less than 10% decrease) | 12.0% |
| A little off the sides (10-25% decrease) | 24.7% |
| A noticeable trim (25-50% decrease) | 25.8% |
| Major haircut vibes (50-75% decrease) | 16.0% |
| Buzz cut! (75% or more decrease) | 9.9% |
| No scissors needed-budget is staying fabulous! | 11.5% |
Guest Count Changes:
| 2023 | 134 |
| 2024 | 131 |
| 2025 | 127 |
*2025 is estimated
All markets have been updated to 2024 data and 2025 and 2026 forecasts have been updated as well. Number of weddings will be updated later this year as we still do not have final numbers on weddings.
| 2023 | 2024 | Chg % | ||
| Market Total | Total | $30,119 | $31,428 | 4.2% |
| Attire & Accessories | Dress Accessories | $274 | $283 | 3.2% |
| Tuxedo/suit/other Accessories | $124 | $131 | 5.3% | |
| Tuxedo/suit/other Rent/purchase | $295 | $305 | 3.3% | |
| Wedding Dress | $1,633 | $1,668 | 2.1% | |
| Bakery | Wedding Cake/dessert | $516 | $517 | 0.2% |
| Beauty & Spa | Hair Service | $93 | $97 | 4.1% |
| Makeup Service | $77 | $81 | 4.9% | |
| Manicure & Pedicure | $58 | $60 | 3.3% | |
| Entertainment | DJ/MC | $1,000 | $1,028 | 2.7% |
| Entertainment lighting | $438 | $456 | 3.9% | |
| Live Band | $2,713 | $2,815 | 3.6% | |
| Musician/s, Soloist, or Ensemble | $897 | $927 | 3.2% | |
| Event Venue | Wedding Venue Bar Service | $2,785 | $2,807 | 0.8% |
| Wedding Venue Food Service | $5,391 | $5,411 | 0.4% | |
| Wedding Venue Location | $5,761 | $5,706 | -1.0% | |
| Wedding Venue Rentals | $1,979 | $1,998 | 1.0% | |
| Flowers & Decorations | Bouquets | $448 | $462 | 3.0% |
| Boutonnieres, Corsages | $202 | $210 | 3.8% | |
| Wedding Venue Accessories | $349 | $349 | 0.0% | |
| Wedding Venue Decorations | $582 | $602 | 3.3% | |
| Wedding Venue Flowers & Arrangements | $649 | $649 | 0.0% | |
| Wedding Venue Table Centerpieces | $409 | $415 | 1.4% | |
| Gifts & Favors | Gift/s for Attendants | $117 | $123 | 4.9% |
| Gift/s for Parents | $159 | $166 | 4.2% | |
| Tips (for all services) | $452 | $455 | 0.7% | |
| Wedding Favors | $231 | $236 | 2.1% | |
| Invitations | Ceremony Programs | $141 | $148 | 4.7% |
| Engagement Announcements | $125 | $131 | 4.6% | |
| Guest Book | $65 | $69 | 5.8% | |
| Invitations & Reply Cards | $215 | $220 | 2.3% | |
| Postage | $104 | $108 | 3.7% | |
| Reception Menus | $138 | $144 | 4.2% | |
| Save the Date Cards | $126 | $131 | 3.8% | |
| Table Name and Escort/place Cards | $95 | $100 | 5.0% | |
| Thank You Cards | $99 | $104 | 4.8% | |
| Jewelry | Bracelet | $204 | $210 | 2.9% |
| Earrings | $201 | $209 | 3.8% | |
| Engagement Ring | $4,025 | $4,064 | 1.0% | |
| Necklace | $259 | $267 | 3.0% | |
| Wedding ring/band for Partner 1 | $921 | $936 | 1.6% | |
| Wedding ring/band for Partner 2 | $555 | $568 | 2.3% | |
| Officiant | Officiant | $264 | $265 | 0.4% |
| Other Events | Rehearsal Dinner | $754 | $757 | 0.4% |
| Other Items | Hotel Room for After Reception | $424 | $423 | -0.2% |
| Photography & Video | Digital or Photo cd/dvd | $297 | $300 | 1.0% |
| Engagement Session | $391 | $394 | 0.8% | |
| Photo Booth | $430 | $437 | 1.6% | |
| Prints and/or Enlargements | $322 | $327 | 1.5% | |
| Wedding album/s or photo book/s | $563 | $573 | 1.7% | |
| Wedding Photographer | $2,264 | $2,337 | 3.1% | |
| Wedding Videographer | $1,700 | $1,776 | 4.3% | |
| Planner/Coordinator | Hourly Services | $1,799 | $1,774 | -1.4% |
| Wedding Coordinator | $1,607 | $1,595 | -0.8% | |
| Wedding Planner | $3,277 | $3,300 | 0.7% | |
| Transportation | Limo Rental | $532 | $540 | 1.5% |
| Other Transportation | $873 | $859 | -1.6% |
NOTE: These cost numbers are based on real spending reported by couples, not vendor price lists. It includes both new and used items, and services provided by professionals, independent providers, or even friends and family. Every wedding is unique, and what couples spend can vary widely depending on their preferences and circumstances.